Catalyst launches 8-channel LED driver for large video displays

Catalyst Semiconductor, a supplier of analog, mixed-signal and non-volatile memory semiconductors, has expanded its recently introduced family of large LED video display drivers with the new CAT4008, an 8-channel, constant-current sink LED driver for billboard, marquee, instrument and other large, general-purpose LED displays.  The CAT4008 joins Catalyst's CAT4016, 16-channel, constant-current LED driver introduced in October 2007.

The CAT4008 LED channels can operate with an output voltage on the LED pins as low as 0.4V (for 2mA to 100mA LED current), to enable more power-efficient designs.  The nominal LED current is set by an external resistor.  A high-speed, 4-wire serial interface with up to 25MHz clock frequency, controls each of the 8 channels using a shift register and latch configuration.  A serial output data pin allows multiple devices to be cascaded and programmed via one serial interface. 

The CAT4008 features a blanking control pin (BLANK), which can be used to disable all channels independently of the interface.  Additionally, on-chip thermal shutdown protection disables the LED outputs if the die temperature exceeds a set limit. 

The CAT4008 is available in a 16-lead, 150 mil SOIC package and offers a replacement for popular devices from Macroblock, Toshiba and others. 

Product Features

• 8 constant-current sink channels
  
• Serial interface with up to 25MHz clock frequency
  
• LED current range from 2mA to 100mA
  
• LED current set by external resistor
  
• 300mV LED dropout at 30mA
  
• Thermal shutdown protection
  
• Packaging:  16-lead SOIC, 150 mils

Price and Availability

The CAT4008 LED driver is priced at $0.49 each in 10,000 piece quantities.  Samples of the CAT4008 are available now.  Projected lead-time for production quantities is currently 6 to 8 weeks ARO.

Contact details

For further information, contact Catalyst Semiconductor on + (1) 408 542 1000.